Methods and systems for monitoring optical networks

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for monitoring an optical network are described. An optical device may receive a data signal. The optical device may send the data signal to a test port. A measuring device may measure characteristics associated with the data signal.

BACKGROUND

Optical networks (e.g., Fiber Optic Networks) may have many active(optical transmitters/receivers) or passive (opticalmultiplexers/de-multiplexers/couplers) devices throughout the networkthat need to be tested to ensure the optical network is performingappropriately, as well as to identify any problems with the opticalnetwork. However, testing the optical devices of an optical network mayrequire personnel to access each optical device, and attach a measuringdevice to the optical device in order to determine the performance ofthe optical network. Often attaching the measurement device requiresdisconnecting the network from service. Thus, when there is a serviceoutage, service personnel may require extended periods of time toidentify the location of the problem in the optical network, as well asfix the problem. Further, multiple measuring devices may need to becoupled to multiple testing ports of each optical device in order todetermine multiple characteristics associated with the optical networkin order to properly diagnose a source of the problem.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive. Methods and systems for monitoring opticalnetworks are described. To facilitate monitoring an optical network, anoptical device may have one or more couplers and/or one or more add-dropmultiplexers to split up an incoming data signal. A portion of the splitup data signal may be sent to an output port that outputs the portion toan optical network. Another portion of the split up data signal may besent to a test port. A monitoring device may be in communication withthe test port to measure characteristics of the optical network. Byusing the couplers and/or add-drop multiplexers, the monitoring devicemay be able to measure more than one characteristic of the opticaldevice using only a single test port. This summary is not intended toidentify critical or essential features of the disclosure, but merely tosummarize certain features and variations thereof. Other details andfeatures will be described in the sections that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, show examples and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

FIG. 1 shows a system for session management for delivery of content;

FIG. 2 shows a system for monitoring optical networks;

FIG. 3 shows a system for monitoring optical networks;

FIG. 4 shows a system for monitoring optical networks;

FIG. 5 shows a system for monitoring optical networks;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for monitoring optical networks;

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method for monitoring optical networks;and

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a computing device for monitoringoptical networks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another configuration includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherconfiguration. It will be further understood that the endpoints of eachof the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint,and independently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includescases where said event or circumstance occurs and cases where it doesnot.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal configuration. “Such as” is not usedin a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

It is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups,etc. of components are described that, while specific reference of eachvarious individual and collective combinations and permutations of thesemay not be explicitly described, each is specifically contemplated anddescribed herein. This applies to all parts of this applicationincluding, but not limited to, steps in described methods. Thus, ifthere are a variety of additional steps that may be performed it isunderstood that each of these additional steps may be performed with anyspecific configuration or combination of configurations of the describedmethods.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, hardware, software, ora combination of software and hardware may be implemented. Furthermore,a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g.,non-transitory) having processor-executable instructions (e.g., computersoftware) embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readablestorage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, opticalstorage devices, magnetic storage devices, memresistors, Non-VolatileRandom Access Memory (NVRAM), flash memory, or a combination thereof.

Throughout this application reference is made block diagrams andflowcharts. It will be understood that each block of the block diagramsand flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowcharts, respectively, may be implemented by processor-executableinstructions. These processor-executable instructions may be loaded ontoa general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe processor-executable instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus create a device forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that may direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the processor-executable instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includingprocessor-executable instructions for implementing the functionspecified in the flowchart block or blocks. The processor-executableinstructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to beperformed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce acomputer-implemented process such that the processor-executableinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowcharts supportcombinations of devices for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowcharts, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowcharts, may beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems thatperform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions.

This detailed description may refer to a given entity performing someaction. It should be understood that this language may in some casesmean that a system (e.g., a computer) owned and/or controlled by thegiven entity is actually performing the action.

An efficient fiber optic system may include optical devices that have aconsolidated test and monitoring port (e.g., reciprocal bi-directionaluse of monitoring) to increase the efficiency of the fiber optic system.Optical devices may be reciprocal devices. That is, the optical devicesbehave identically in the forward and reverse directions. The opticaldevices may aggregate or separate light received via optical links intoone or more wavelengths of light. That is, the optical devices mayperform as a multiplex (MUX) device or as a demultiplex (DMUX) devicedepending on the direction the light travels through the optical device.The optical devices may have a common (COM) port that provides aninterface to an optical link. The COM port may contain all of theaggregated wavelengths in the MUX capability or accepts incomingwavelengths for separation for the DMUX capability. The optical devicesmay be passive devices. The optical devices may have test points thatenable technicians to measure the wavelengths of light and the power ofthe individual wavelengths to determine the total power in the opticalnetwork.

Optical networks may utilize light to transmit data. The opticalnetworks may utilize different wavelengths of light to transmit thedata. The spectrum of wavelengths used in optical networks may extendfrom approximately 1200-1700 nm, with the wavelengths broken intoseparate bands. The bands may be the Original (0) band from 1260-1360nm, the Extended (E) band from 1360-1460 nm, the Short Wavelengths (S)band from 1460-1530 nm, the Conventional (C) band from 1530-1565 nm, theLong Wavelengths (L) band from 1565-1625 nm, and the Ultra-LongWavelengths (U) band from 1625-1675 nm. Each optical device may beassociated with only a specific band out of the entire spectrum. Theoptical devices may have optical ports that enable additional spectrums(e.g., additional wavelength bands) to be added on later as necessary.These ports may be an Express (EXP) port or an Upgrade (UPG) port. TheEXP port may add capability in the C band. The UPG port may addcapability in a band other than the C band. While specific examples ofwavelengths of light are provided above, a person skilled in the artwould appreciate that the optical network described herein may utilizeany wavelength of light and should not be limited to the aforementionedexamples.

The optical devices may separate the wavelengths into two separategroups. The first group may be wavelengths associated with a headend ofthe optical network and the second group may be associated with nodes ofthe optical network. By utilizing two groups of wavelengths, widertemperature characteristics associated with the wavelengths may beutilized.

A measuring device may utilize one or more Optical Spectrum Analyzers(OSA) and Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR) to measure signallevels and/or detect problems associated with a fiber optic network(e.g., damage to fiber cables). The measuring device described hereinmay reduce the number of ports of an optical device needed to determinefull characteristics of the fiber optic network so that the one or moreports may be allocated for expansion purposes or for independenttesting. The measuring device may have a processor and a communicationinterface for automatically measuring the characteristics of the fiberoptic network without a technician needing to physically couple ameasuring device to the optical device. Thus, the measuring deviceenables automatic, periodic, on demand, and/or continuous monitoring ofthe fiber optic network.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that digital equipment and/oranalog equipment may be employed. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat provided herein is a functional description and that the respectivefunctions may be performed by software, hardware, or a combination ofsoftware and hardware.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 that may be configured to providecommunication services, such as content services and/or internetservices, to a user device 102. The user device 102 may be incommunication with a computing device 104 such as a server. Thecomputing device 104 may be disposed locally or remotely relative to theuser device 102. The user device 102 and the computing device 104 may bein communication via a private and/or public network 105 such as theInternet or a local area network. The network 105 may be an opticalnetwork (e.g., a fiber optic network). Other forms of communications maybe used such as wired and wireless telecommunication channels.

The user device 102 may be an electronic device such as a computer, asmartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a set top box, a display device, orother device capable of communicating with the computing device 104. Theuser device 102 may have a communication element 106 for providing aninterface to a user to interact with the user device 102 and/or thecomputing device 104. The communication element 106 may be any interfacefor presenting and/or receiving information to/from the user, such asuser feedback. The interface may be a communication interface such as aweb browser (e.g., Internet Explorer®, Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome®,Safari®, or the like). Other software, hardware, and/or interfaces maybe used to provide communication between the user and one or more of theuser device 102 and the computing device 104. The communication element106 may request or query various files from a local source and/or aremote source. The communication element 106 may transmit data to alocal or remote device such as the computing device 104.

The user device 102 may be associated with a user identifier or deviceidentifier 108. The device identifier 108 may be any identifier, token,character, string, or the like, for differentiating one user or userdevice (e.g., user device 102) from another user or user device. Thedevice identifier 108 may identify a user or user device as belonging toa particular class of users or user devices. The device identifier 108may have information relating to the user device 102 such as amanufacturer, a model or type of device, a service provider associatedwith the user device 102, a state of the user device 102, a locator,and/or a label or classifier. Other information may be represented bythe device identifier 108.

The device identifier 108 may have an address element 110 and a serviceelement 112. The address element 110 may be or may provide an internetprotocol address, a network address, a media access control (MAC)address, an Internet address, or the like. The address element 110 maybe relied upon to establish a communication session between the userdevice 102, the computing device 104, the network device 118, and/orother devices and/or networks. The address element 110 may be used as anidentifier or locator of the user device 102. The address element 110may be persistent for a particular network.

The service element 112 may be an identification of a service providerassociated with the user device 102 and/or with the class of user device102. The class of the user device 102 may be related to a type ofdevice, capability of device, type of service being provided, and/or alevel of service (e.g., a business class, a service tier, a servicepackage, etc.). The service element 112 may have information relating toor provided by a communication service provider (e.g., an Internetservice provider) that may provide or may enable data flow such ascommunication services to the user device 102. The service element 112may have information relating to a preferred service provider for one ormore particular services relating to the user device 102. The addresselement 110 may be used to identify or retrieve data from the serviceelement 112, or vice versa. One or more of the address element 110and/or the service element 112 may be stored remotely from the userdevice 102 and retrieved by one or more devices such as the user device102, the computing device 104, and/or the network device 118. Otherinformation may be represented by the service element 112.

The computing device 104 may be a server for communicating with the userdevice 102. The computing device 104 may communicate with the userdevice 102 for providing data and/or services. The computing device 104may provide services such as network (e.g., Internet) connectivity,network printing, media management (e.g., media server), contentservices, streaming services, broadband services, or othernetwork-related services. The computing device 104 may allow the userdevice 102 to interact with remote resources such as data, devices, andfiles. The computing device 104 may be configured as (or disposed at) acentral location (e.g., a headend, or processing facility), which mayreceive content (e.g., data, input programming) from multiple sources.The computing device 104 may combine the content from the multiplesources and may distribute the content to user (e.g., subscriber)locations via a distribution system.

The computing device 104 may manage the communication between the userdevice 102 and a database 114 for sending and receiving datatherebetween. The database 114 may store a plurality of files (e.g., webpages), user identifiers or records, or other information. The userdevice 102 may request and/or retrieve a file from the database 114. Thedatabase 114 may store information relating to the user device 102 suchas the address element 110 and/or the service element 112. The computingdevice 104 may obtain the device identifier 108 from the user device 102and retrieve information from the database 114 such as the addresselement 110 and/or the service elements 112. The computing device 104may obtain the address element 110 from the user device 102 and mayretrieve the service element 112 from the database 114, or vice versa.Any information may be stored in and retrieved from the database 114.The database 114 may be disposed remotely from the computing device 104and accessed via a direct or an indirect connection. The database 114may be integrated with the computing system 104 or some other device orsystem.

The computing device 104 may be associated with an identifier 116. Theidentifier 116 may be any identifier, token, character, string, or thelike, for differentiating one computing device (e.g., the computingdevice 104) from another computing device. The identifier 116 mayidentify the computing device 104 as belonging to a particular class ofdevices. The identifier 116 may have information relating to thecomputing device 104 such as a manufacturer, a model or type of device,a service provider associated with the computing device 104, a state ofthe computing device 104, a locator, and/or a label or classifier. Otherinformation may be represented by the identifier 116.

One or more network devices 118 may be in communication with a networksuch as the network 105. One or more of the network devices 118 mayfacilitate the connection of a device, such as the user device 102, tothe network 105. The network device 118 may be associated with anidentifier 124. The identifier 124 may be any identifier, token,character, string, or the like, for differentiating one network device(e.g., the network device 118) from another network device. Theidentifier 124 may identify the network device 118 as belonging to aparticular class of devices. The identifier 124 may have informationrelating to the network device 118 such as a manufacturer, a model ortype of device, a service provider associated with the network device118, a state of the network device 118, a locator, and/or a label orclassifier. Other information may be represented by the identifier 124.

The network device 118 may have an optical device 120. The opticaldevice 120 may have one or more ports. The optical device 120 may havean input port, an express port, an upgrade port, one or more test ports,and a common (COM) port. The optical device 120 may be a passive opticaldevice that aggregates and/or separates wavelengths of light receivedfrom one or more optical links. That is, the optical device 120 may be amultiplex (MUX) device or a demultiplex (DMUX) device depending on thedirection light travels through the optical device 120. The opticaldevice 120 may have a common (COM) port that provides an interface to anoptical link. The COM port may contain all of the aggregated wavelengthsin the MUX capability or accept incoming wavelengths for separation forthe DMUX capability. Stated differently, the optical device 120 mayreceive a plurality of wavelengths from a plurality of optical links viathe input port and combine the plurality of wavelengths into a combinedsignal. The combined signal may be output by the optical device 120. Thecombined signal may be output to the COM port. The optical device 120may receive a combined signal having a plurality of wavelengths via theCOM port and may separate the plurality of wavelengths from the combinedsignal into a plurality of individual signals. The plurality ofindividual signals may be provided to a plurality of optical links viathe input port for transmission over the optical network. Thus, in theDMUX configuration, the input port of the optical device 120 acts as anoutput port. Further, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,passive optical devices may be reciprocal. That is, the same device mayaggregate more than one data signal (e.g., wavelengths), such as MUXing,as well as separating more than one data signal (e.g., wavelengths),such as DMUXing. Additionally, while a single optical device 120 isdescribed for ease of explanation, the system 100 may have more than oneoptical device 120, and the more than one optical devices 120 may belocated at different locations and may have different capabilities. Afirst optical device 120 may have a MUXing capability, while a secondoptical device 120 may have a DMUXing capability.

The optical device 120 may have one or more couplers. Each coupler maybe configured to receive as input a combined signal and output two ormore different power levels of the combined signal on two or moreoutputs. A coupler may output 50% of the combined signal on one output,and may output 50% of the combined signal on another output. A couplermay output 99% of the combined signal on one output, and 1% of thecombined signal on another output. A coupler may output 98% of thecombined signal on one output, and may output 2% of the combined signalon another output. While outputs totaling 100% are used for ease ofexplanation, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that anycombination of outputs provided by the coupler may be used, includingcombinations below 100%.

The optical device 120 may have one or more Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADM).An ADM may receive the combined signal having a plurality of differentwavelengths of light, and may drop (e.g., remove) a wavelength of lightfrom the combined signal. The dropped (e.g., removed) wavelength oflight may be provided on a first output. The first output of the ADM maybe in communication with a test port of the optical device 120. Thefirst output may be associated with an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR). The OTDR may be a part of a measuring device (e.g., themeasuring device 122 as will be explained below. The remaining combinedsignal may be provided on a second output. The second output may be incommunication with the COM port of the optical device 120. The ADM mayreceive a second input signal. The second input signal may be at thesame wavelength of light as the dropped signal. The ADM may add thesecond input signal to the remaining combined signal. The second inputsignal may be received by the ADM from the OTDR. The optical device 120may receive an output signal from the OTDR on the test port of theoptical device 120 that is in communication with the ADM.

The ADM may drop and/or add a wavelength of light outside of thewavelengths of light associated with data signals. The combined signalmay be a plurality of wavelengths of light that are data signals rangingfrom 1200 nm to 1600 nm. The ADM may drop and/or add a wavelength oflight that is greater than (e.g., higher than) the maximum wavelength oflight for the data signals. The wavelength of light may be 1610 nm, 1611nm, 1620 nm, and so forth.

By using a wavelength of light outside the wavelengths of light of thedata signals, the wavelength of light may indicate problems associatedwith the network 105 before the data signals are impacted. In coldweather, a fiber optic network may have fiber optic cables freeze, whichresults in contracting of the fiber optic cables. The fiber optic cablesmay break if the fiber optic cables become cold enough, which may take asignificant amount of time because the fiber optic cables may beinsulated. However, wavelengths of light outside the data signals (e.g.,higher wavelengths of light) may be impacted before the data signals.That is, as the fiber optic cable begins to contract (e.g., due totemperature), the outer wavelengths (e.g., larger wavelengths) of lightwill be impacted first because the outer wavelengths lose guidingearlier and experience interference from the contracting fiber opticcable prior to the data signals. Further, other events may occur thatimpact fiber optic cables such as a pole supporting the fiber opticcables falling down, which may damage but not fully break the fiberoptic cables. Thus, the higher wavelengths of the light may be measured(e.g., by an OTDR) to detect potential problems with a fiber optic cableprior to the data signals being impacted. Therefore, a network providerassociated with the fiber optic network (e.g., the network 105) may beable to proactively correct any issues with fiber optic cables beforethe data signals are impacted. While the optical device 120 is shown asbeing a part of the network device 118, a person skilled in the artwould appreciate that the optical device 120 may be a separate from thenetwork device 118.

The network device 118 may have a measuring device 122. The measuringdevice 122 may measure one or more characteristics of the network 105.The network 105 may be an optical network (e.g., a fiber optic network).The measuring device 122 may determine one or more data signals sent viathe network 105, and the power of the network 105. The one or more datasignals may be associated with a respective wavelength of light that isassociated with a combined data signal having a plurality of wavelengthsof light. While the measuring device 122 is shown as being a part of thenetwork device 118 for ease of explanation, a person skilled in the artwould appreciate the measuring device 122 may be external to the networkdevice 118.

The measuring device 122 may have an Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA).The OSA may measure the data signals sent via the optical device 120.Each data signal may be associated with a respective wavelength oflight. The OSA may measure the data signals sent in a first direction(e.g., forwards) through the optical device 120, and may measure thedata signal sent in a second direction (e.g., backwards) through theoptical device 120. The measuring device 122 may have an Optical TimeDomain Reflectometer (OTDR) for measuring a power associated with thenetwork 105. The OTDR may also indicate the continuity of acommunication link and/or communication path associated with the network105. The OTDR may send a test signal via a test port associated with theoptical device 120. The test signal may be associated with a specificwavelength of light. The OTDR may utilize a wavelength outside (e.g.,higher than) the wavelengths of light associated with the data signals.By utilizing a wavelength higher than the wavelength of light associatedwith the data signals, the OTDR may detect problems with the network 105(e.g., power reduction) before the data signals are impacted. Themeasuring device 122 may have a switch (not shown). The measuring devicemay have an ADM in communication with the OSA and/or the OTDR.

The switch may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of input portsassociated with the switch and the 1 relates to the number of outputs ofthe switch. The number of input ports may be determined based on anumber of optical devices the switch may communicate with. The switchmay be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and so forth. The switch may nothave the same number of ports as the input ports of the optical device120. The switch may receive, as input, an output (e.g., a data signal)associated with a test port of the optical device 120, and provide thedata signal to at least one of the OTDR, the OSA, and/or the ADM. Theswitch may provide the data signal to the ADM, and the ADM may provide afirst output to the OTDR and a second output to the OSA. The firstoutput may be a dropped signal associated with a specific wavelength oflight, and the second output may be a remainder of the data signal.

The measuring device 122 may communicate (e.g., send and/or receivedata) with the computing device 104. The measuring device 122 maycommunicate with the computing device 104 via the network 105 or anothernetwork. The measuring device 122 may send the measured one or morecharacteristics of the network 105 to the computing device 105. Themeasuring device 122 may take measurements of the network 105 inintervals (e.g., 1 ms, 1 s, 1 minute, 1 hour, etc.). The measuringdevice 122 may continuously take measurements of the network 105. Themeasuring device 122 may provide (e.g., send) these measurements to thecomputing device 104. The measuring device 122 may send the measurementsin intervals. The measuring device 122 may send the measurementscontinuously.

The computing device 104 may receive the measured one or morecharacteristics of the network 105 from the measuring device 122. Thecomputing device 104 may store the measured one or more characteristicsof the network 105 in the database 114. The computing device 104 maydetermine one or more actions to take based on the measuredcharacteristics. The computing device 104 may determine a notificationto send based on the measured characteristic. The computing device 104may determine an error in the network 105 and may send a notificationbased on the error to another computing device. The computing device 104may determine a report based on the measured characteristics. Thecomputing device 104 may receive a plurality of measurements from aplurality of measurement device 122. The computing device 104 maydetermine a report based on the plurality of measurements. The reportmay indicate a status (e.g., the health) of the network 105. The reportmay indicate one or more errors (e.g., faults) in the network 105. Thecomputing device 104 may determine a notification based on the report.The computing device 104 may determine an inventory of wavelengths andfiber assets, fiber capacity tools, tuning wavelengths, or proactivelymonitoring the attributes of the wavelengths to discover faults based onthe plurality of measurements.

FIG. 2 shows a system 200 for monitoring a network. The system 200 mayhave an optical device 202 (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1), andmeasuring devices 204 a,b,c (e.g., the measuring device 122 of FIG. 1).The system 200 may monitor an optical network (e.g., a fiber opticnetwork). While a single optical device 202 and three measuring devices204 a,b,c are shown for ease of explanation, a person skilled in the artwould appreciate that the system 200 may have any number of opticaldevices 202 and measuring devices 204. The optical device 202 may be apassive optical device.

The optical device 202 may have an input port 206. The input port 206may receive one or more data signals via one or more optical links. Thedata signals may be optical data signals. Each of the data signals maybe associated with a respective wavelength of light. Each of the opticallinks may have an associated wavelength of light (e.g., data signal).The input port 206 may have a plurality of ports (not shown) incommunication with the one or more optical links. That is, the inputport 206 may have a separate port associated with each optical link. Theinput port 206 may aggregate wavelengths of light received from the oneor more optical links. The input port 206 may receive the data signals(e.g., the wavelengths of light) via the one or more optical links. Theinput port 206 may combine the received data signals into a singlecombined data signal. The input port 206 may transmit the combined datasignal to another component (e.g., the coupler 228) of the opticaldevice 202 via a communications path. The express port 208 and/or theupgrade port 210 may also transmit data signals to the coupler 228 viathe communication path. That is, the input port 206, the express port208, and the upgrade port 210 may utilize the same communication path tocommunicate with (e.g., transmit and/or receive data signals) thecoupler 228. Thus, the input port 206 may be a multiplex (MUX) if theinput port 206 receives a plurality of data signals. The input port 206may utilize wavelengths of light ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm.

The input port 206 may separate wavelengths of light from a combineddata signal (e.g., received from the coupler 228). The input port 206may separate the combined data signal into one or more separate datasignals (e.g., wavelengths of light). The input port 206 may separatethe combined data signal into one or more separate data signals. Theinput port 206 may be an output port that outputs the separated datasignals on the optical links associated with the input port 206. Theinput port 206 may transmit the separated data signals to respectiveoptical links. Thus, the input port 206 may be a demultiplex (DMUX) ifthe input port 206 receives a single combined data signal. The expressport 208 and the upgrade port 210 may also receive the combined datasignal from the coupler 228, and output the combined data signal. Whilethe optical device 202 is described as either DMUXing or MUXing, aperson skilled in the art would appreciate that the optical device 202may be capable of MUXing and DMUXing light concurrently depending on thedirection of the signal flow. That is, the input port 206 may be aninput for a first wavelength of light and may concurrently be an outputfor a second wavelength of light.

The optical device 202 may have an express port 208 and an upgrade port210. The express port 208 and the upgrade port 210 may be incommunication with the input port 206. The express port 208 and theupgrade port 210 may support additional wavelengths of light (e.g.,outside the wavelengths of light associated with the input port 206)that the optical device 202 may utilize. The express port 208 mayutilize wavelengths associated with a Conventional (C) band. The C bandmay have wavelengths of light ranging from 1530-1565 nm. The upgradeport 210 may utilize wavelengths of light associated with bands otherthan the C band. The upgrade port 210 may utilize the Long Wavelengths(L) band that has wavelengths of light ranging from 1565-1625 nm, andthe Ultra-Long Wavelengths (U) band that has wavelengths of lightranging from 1625-1675 nm. While the express port 208 and the upgradeport 210 are shown as separate ports for ease of explanation, a personskilled in the art would appreciate that the input port 206 may have thecapability of the express port 208 and the upgrade port 210.

The optical device 202 may have test ports 212 a and 212 b. The testports 212 a,b may allow a measuring device (e.g., the measuring devices204 a,b,c) to measure (e.g., test) data signals sent via the opticaldevice 202. The measuring device may determine a power level, powerspectral density, and one or more wavelengths associated with the datasignals. The measuring device may measure one or more characteristics ofthe optical network. The measuring device may determine a power levelassociated with the data signals in both the forward and reversedirection at each specific wavelength or in each specific channelpassband. Further, while a single optical device 210 is shown for easeof explanation, each of the measuring devices 204 a,b,c may be incommunication with more than one optical device.

The optical device 202 may have a common (COM) port 214 that provides aninterface to an optical link. The COM port 214 may receive the combineddata signal provided by the input port 206. The COM port 214 may outputthe combined data signal on an optical link associated with the COM port214. The COM port 214 may receive a data signal (e.g., a combined datasignal having a plurality of wavelengths of light) from the optical linkand provide the data signal to the input port 206 for the input port 206to separate out wavelengths of light associated with the data signal.

The measuring device 204 a may have an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR) 216 and a switch 218. The OTDR 216 may measure a power associatedwith an optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 216may measure a continuity of a communication link and/or communicationpath of the optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR216 may send a test signal via a test port or via the upgrade portassociated with the optical device 202. The test signal may beassociated with a specific wavelength of light. The OTDR 216 may utilizea wavelength outside (e.g., higher than) the wavelengths of lightassociated with the data signals received by the optical device 202. Byutilizing a wavelength higher than the wavelength of light associatedwith the data signals, the OTDR 216 may detect problems (e.g., powerreduction) with the network before the data signals are impacted.

The switch 218 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 202 or other opticaldevices) the switch 218 may communicate with. The switch 218 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 218 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 218 may receive, as input, an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 202 (e.g., theexpress port 208, the upgrade port 210, and/or the test ports 212). Theswitch 218 may send the received signal to the OTDR 216. The switch 218may send an output to the test port of the optical device 202. Theswitch 218 may receive a signal from the OTDR 216 and send the signal tothe test port of the optical device 202. The switch 218 may receive asignal from and/or send the signal to the upgrade port 210.

The measuring device 204 b may have an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA)220 and a switch 222. The OSA 220 may measure the data signals sent viathe optical device 202. Each data signal may be associated with arespective wavelength of light. The OSA 220 may measure the data signalssent in a first direction (e.g., forwards) through the optical device202, and may measure the data signal sent in a second direction (e.g.,backwards) through the optical device 202.

The switch 222 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 202 or other opticaldevices) the switch 222 may communicate with. The switch 222 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 222 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 222 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 202 (e.g., theexpress port 208, the upgrade port 210, and/or the test ports 212). Theswitch 222 may send the received signal to the OSA 220. The switch 222may receive a signal from the test port 212 a.

The measuring device 204 c may have an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA)224 and a switch 226. The OSA 224 may measure the data signals sent viathe optical device 202. Each data signal may be associated with arespective wavelength of light. The OSA 224 may measure the data signalssent in a first direction (e.g., forwards) through the optical device202, and may measure the data signal sent in a second direction (e.g.,backwards) through the optical device 202. The OSA 224 of the measuringdevice 204 c may measure the data signals sent in a first direction, andthe OSA 220 of the measuring device 204 b may measure the data signalsent in a second direction.

The switch 226 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 202 or other opticaldevices) the switch 226 may communicate with. The switch 226 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 226 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 226 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 202 (e.g., theexpress port 208, the upgrade port 210, and/or the test ports 212). Theswitch 226 may send the received signal to the OSA 224. The switch 226may receive a signal from the test port 212 b.

The optical device 202 may have a coupler 228. The coupler 228 mayreceive as input a combined signal (e.g., from the input port 206, theexpress port 208, the upgrade port 210, and/or the COM port 214) andoutput two or more different power levels of the combined signal on twoor more outputs. The coupler 228 may be a 2×2 coupler. That is, thecoupler 228 may have two inputs and two outputs.

The coupler 228 may receive an input from the input port 206. Thecoupler 228 may provide a first output to the test port 212 b and asecond output to the COM port 214. The coupler 228 may output 99% of thecombined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal onthe first output. The coupler 228 may output 98% of the combined signalon the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal on thefirst output.

The coupler 228 may receive an input from the COM port 214. The coupler228 may provide a first output to the test port 212 a and a secondoutput to the input port 206. The coupler 228 may output 99% of thecombined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal onthe first output. The coupler 228 may output 98% of the combined signalon the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal on thefirst output. The 98%:2% coupler may increase the test point by 3 dB,which may help with obtaining better measurements of the data signal, aswell as allowing for further splitting of the data signal. While outputstotaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, a person skilled in theart would appreciate that any combination of outputs provided by thecoupler may be used, including combinations below 100%.

FIG. 3 shows a system 300 for monitoring a network. The system 300 mayhave an optical device 302 (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1), andmeasuring devices 304 a and 304 b (e.g., the measuring device 122 ofFIG. 1). The system 300 may monitor an optical network (e.g., a fiberoptic network). While a single optical device 302 and two measuringdevices 304 a and 304 b are shown for ease of explanation, a personskilled in the art would appreciate that the system 300 may have anynumber of optical devices 302 and measuring devices 304. The measuringdevices 304 may be in communication with a plurality of optical devices302 (e.g., 2, 5, 50, 100, 500, etc.). The optical device 302 may be apassive optical device.

The optical device 302 may have an input port 306. The input port 306may receive one or more data signals via one or more communicationlinks. The communication links may be optical links. The data signalsmay be optical data signals. Each of the data signals may be associatedwith a respective wavelength of light. Each of the optical links mayhave an associated wavelength of light (e.g., data signal). The inputport 306 may have a plurality of ports (not shown) in communication withthe one or more optical links. That is, the input port 306 may have aseparate port associated with each optical link. The input port 306 mayaggregate wavelengths of light received from the one or more opticallinks. The input port 306 may receive the data signals (e.g., thewavelengths of light) via the one or more optical links. The input port306 may combine the received data signals into a single combined datasignal. The input port 306 may transmit the combined data signal (e.g.,to the coupler 328). Thus, the input port 306 may have the capability tobe a multiplex (MUX) if input port 306 receives a plurality of datasignals. The input port 306 may utilize wavelengths of light rangingfrom 1200 nm to 1600 nm. Further, the express port 308 and the upgradeport 310 may add one or more data signals to the combined data signal.

The input port 306 may separate wavelengths of light from a combineddata signal. The input port 306, the express port 308, and/or theupgrade port 310 may receive the combined data signal (e.g., from thecoupler 324 a). The input port 306 may separate the combined data signalinto one or more separate data signals (e.g., wavelengths of light). Theinput port 306 may separate the combined data signal into one or moreseparate data signals. The input port 306 may be an output port thatoutputs the separated data signals on the optical links associated withthe input port 306. The input port 306 may transmit the separated datasignals to respective optical links. Thus, the input port 306 may havethe capability to be a demultiplex (DMUX) if the input port 306 receivesa single combined data signal.

The optical device 302 may have an express port 308 and an upgrade port310. The express port 308 and the upgrade port 310 may be incommunication with the input port 306. The input port 306 may providereceived data signals to other components of the optical device 302(e.g., a coupler 324 a). The express port 308 and the upgrade port 310may provide additional wavelengths of light (e.g., outside thewavelengths of light associated with the input port 306) that theoptical device 302 may utilize. The express port 308 may utilizewavelengths associated with a Conventional (C) band. The C band may havewavelengths of light ranging from 1530-1565 nm. The upgrade port 310 mayutilize wavelengths of light associated with bands other than the Cband. The upgrade port 310 may utilize the Long Wavelengths (L) bandthat has wavelengths of light ranging from 1565-1625 nm, and theUltra-Long Wavelengths (U) band that has wavelengths of light rangingfrom 1625-1675 nm. While the express port 308 and the upgrade port 310are shown as separate ports for ease of explanation, a person skilled inthe art would appreciate that the input port 306 may have the capabilityof the express port 308 and the upgrade port 310.

The optical device 302 may have test ports 312 a and 312 b. The testports 312 a,b may allow a measuring device (e.g., the measuring devices304 a and 304 b) to measure (e.g., test) data signals sent via theoptical device 302. Stated differently, the test ports 312 a,b mayoutput one or more data signals that are sent via the optical device 302to allow the measuring device to determine one or more characteristicsof the optical network. Accordingly, the measuring device may utilizethe tests ports 312 a,b to determine one or more characteristics of theoptical network. The measuring device may determine a power level, powerspectral density, and one or more wavelengths associated with the datasignals. The measuring device may determine a power level associatedwith the data signals in both the forward and reverse direction at eachspecific wavelength or in each specific channel passband.

The optical device 302 may have a common (COM) port 314 that provides aninterface to an optical link. The COM port 314 may receive the combineddata signal provided by the input port 306, the express port 308, and/orthe upgrade port 310. The COM port 314 may output the combined datasignal on an optical link associated with the COM port 314. The COM port314 may receive a data signal (e.g., a combined data signal having aplurality of wavelengths of light) from the optical link and provide thedata signal to the input port 306 for the input port 306 to separate outwavelengths of light associated with the data signal.

The measuring device 304 a may have an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR) 316 and a switch 318. The OTDR 316 may measure a power associatedwith an optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 316may measure a continuity of a communication link and/or communicationpath of the optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR316 may send a test signal via a test port associated with the opticaldevice 302. The OTDR 316 may send a test signal via the upgrade port310. The test signal may be associated with a specific wavelength oflight. The OTDR 316 may utilize a wavelength outside (e.g., higher than)the wavelengths of light associated with the data signals received bythe optical device 302. By utilizing a wavelength higher than thewavelength of light associated with the data signals, the OTDR 316 maydetect problems (e.g., power reduction) with the network before the datasignals are impacted.

The switch 318 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 302 or other opticaldevices) the switch 318 may communicate with. The switch 318 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 318 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 318 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 302. Theswitch 318 may send the received signal to the OTDR 316. The switch 318may send an output to the test port of the optical device 302 (e.g., theexpress port 308, the upgrade port 310, and/or the test ports 312). Theswitch 318 may receive a signal from the OTDR 316 and send the signal toa test port of the optical device 302. The switch 318 may receive asignal from and/or send the signal to the upgrade port 310.

The measuring device 304 b may have an Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA)320 and a switch 322. The OSA 320 may measure the data signals sent viathe optical device 302. Each data signal may be associated with arespective wavelength of light. The OSA 320 may measure the data signalssent in a first direction (e.g., forwards) through the optical device302, and may measure the data signal sent in a second direction (e.g.,backwards) through the optical device 302. Thus, the OSA 320 allows fora test port (e.g., the test port 312 a or test port 312 b) to beavailable for adhoc testing while the measuring device 304 b utilizesthe remaining test port for testing.

The switch 322 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 302 or other opticaldevices) the switch 322 may communicate with. The switch 322 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 322 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 322 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 302 (e.g., theexpress port 308, the upgrade port 310, and/or the test ports 312). Theswitch 322 may send the received signal to the OSA 320. The switch 322may receive a signal from the test port 312 b.

The optical device 302 may have coupler 324 a and 324 b. The coupler 324a may receive as input a combined signal (e.g., from the input port 306,the express port 308, the upgrade port 310, and/or the COM port 314) andoutput two or more different power levels of the combined signal on twoor more outputs. The coupler 324 a may be a 2×2 coupler. That is, thecoupler 324 a may have two inputs and two outputs.

The coupler 324 a may receive an input from the input port 306. Thecoupler 324 a may provide a first output to the coupler 324 b and asecond output to the COM port 314. The coupler 324 a may output 99% ofthe combined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signalon the first output. The coupler 324 a may output 98% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal onthe first output.

The coupler 324 a may receive an input from the COM port 314. Thecoupler 324 a may provide a first output to the coupler 324 b and asecond output to the input port 306, the express port 308, and/or theupgrade port 310. The coupler 324 a may output 99% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal on the firstoutput. The coupler 324 a may output 98% of the combined signal on thesecond output, and may output 2% of the combined signal on the firstoutput. While outputs totaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, aperson skilled in the art would appreciate that any combination ofoutputs provided by the coupler may be used, including combinationsbelow 100%.

The coupler 324 b may receive as input a signal (e.g., from the coupler324 a) and output two or more different power levels of the combinedsignal on two or more outputs. The coupler 324 b may be a 2×2 coupler.That is, the coupler 324 b may have two inputs and two outputs. Thecoupler 324 b may be in communication with the test ports 312 a and 312b. The coupler 324 b may receive an input from the coupler 324 a. Thecoupler 324 b may provide a first output to the test port 312 a and asecond output to the test port 312 b. The coupler 324 b may output 50%of the combined signal on the second output, and 50% of the combinedsignal on the first output. As will be appreciated by one skilled in theart, the percentages may not be exactly even due to imperfections inmanufacturing and/or operating conditions. Further, while outputstotaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, a person skilled in theart would appreciate that any combination of outputs provided by thecoupler may be used, including combinations below 100%.

The system 300 is capable of reducing the number of measuring devices304 due to the addition of the coupler 324 b to the optical device 202.The coupler 324 b allows one measuring device (e.g., the measuringdevice 304 b) to measure data signals in the forward direction, as wellas the reverse direction, whereas FIG. 2 may require a separatemeasuring device for the forward direction and a separate measuringdevice for the reverse direction. Thus, the test port 312 a may be notneed to be utilized by a measuring device to measure all characteristicsof the optical network, but could be used for another test device suchas a portable measurement device without a switch. The system 300 hasthe same capabilities as system 200 but without using all of the testports of the optical device 302.

FIG. 4 shows a system 400 for monitoring a network. The system 400 mayhave an optical device 402 (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1), andmeasuring devices 404 a and 404 b (e.g., the measuring device 122 ofFIG. 1). The system 400 may monitor an optical network (e.g., a fiberoptic network). While a single optical device 402 and two measuringdevices 404 a and 404 b are shown for ease of explanation, a personskilled in the art would appreciate that the system 400 may have anynumber of optical devices 402 and measuring devices 404. The measuringdevices 404 may be in communication with a plurality of optical devices302 (e.g., 2, 5, 50, 100, 500, etc.). The optical device 402 may be apassive optical device.

The optical device 402 may have an input port 406. The input port 406may receive one or more data signals via one or more optical links. Thedata signals may be optical data signals. Each of the data signals maybe associated with a respective wavelength of light. Each of the opticallinks may have an associated wavelength of light (e.g., data signal).The input port 406 may have a plurality of ports (not shown) incommunication with the one or more optical links. That is, the inputport 406 may have a separate port associated with each optical link. Theinput port 406 may aggregate wavelengths of light received from the oneor more optical links. The input port 406 may receive the data signals(e.g., the wavelengths of light) via the one or more optical links. Theinput port 406 may combine the received data signals into a singlecombined data signal. The input port 406 may transmit the combined datasignal (e.g., to the coupler 428). Thus, the input port 406 may have thecapability to be a multiplex (MUX) if input port 406 receives aplurality of data signals. The input port 406 may utilize wavelengths oflight ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm. Further, the express port 408 andthe upgrade port 410 may add one or more data signals to the combineddata signal.

The input port 406 may separate wavelengths of light from a combineddata signal. The input port 406, the express port 408, and/or theupgrade port 410 may receive the combined data signal (e.g., from thecoupler 424 a). The input port 406 may separate the combined data signalinto one or more separate data signals (e.g., wavelengths of light). Theinput port 406 may separate the combined data signal into one or moreseparate data signals. The input port 406 may be an output port thatoutputs the separated data signals on the optical links associated withthe input port 406. The input port 406 may transmit the separated datasignals to respective optical links. Thus, the input port 406 may havethe capability to be a demultiplex (DMUX) if the input port 406 receivesa single combined data signal.

The optical device 402 may have an express port 408 and an upgrade port410. The express port 408 and the upgrade port 410 may be incommunication with the input port 406. The input port 406 may providereceived data signals to other components of the optical device 402(e.g., a coupler 424 a). The express port 408 and the upgrade port 410may provide additional wavelengths of light (e.g., outside thewavelengths of light associated with the input port 406) that theoptical device 402 may utilize. The express port 408 may utilizewavelengths associated with a Conventional (C) band. The C band may havewavelengths of light ranging from 1530-1565 nm. The upgrade port 410 mayutilize wavelengths of light associated with bands other than the Cband. The upgrade port 410 may utilize the Long Wavelengths (L) bandthat has wavelengths of light ranging from 1565-1625 nm, and theUltra-Long Wavelengths (U) band that has wavelengths of light rangingfrom 1625-1675 nm. While the express port 408 and the upgrade port 410are shown as separate ports for ease of explanation, a person skilled inthe art would appreciate that the input port 406 may have the capabilityof the express port 408 and the upgrade port 410.

The optical device 402 may have test ports 412 a and 412 b. The testports 412 a,b may allow a measuring device (e.g., the measuring devices404 a and 404 b) to measure (e.g., test) data signals sent via theoptical device 402. Stated differently, the test ports 412 a,b mayoutput one or more data signals that are sent via the optical device 402to allow the measuring device to determine one or more characteristicsof the optical network. Accordingly, the measuring device may utilizethe tests ports 412 a,b to determine one or more characteristics of theoptical network. The measuring device may determine a power level, powerspectral density, and one or more wavelengths associated with the datasignals. The measuring device may determine a power level associatedwith the data signals in both the forward and reverse direction at eachspecific wavelength or in each specific channel passband.

The optical device 402 may have a common (COM) port 414 that provides aninterface to an optical link. The COM port 414 may receive the combineddata signal provided by the input port 406, the express port 408, and/orthe upgrade port 410. The COM port 414 may output the combined datasignal on an optical link associated with the COM port 414. The COM port414 may receive a data signal (e.g., a combined data signal having aplurality of wavelengths of light) from the optical link and provide thedata signal to the input port 406 for the input port 406 to separate outwavelengths of light associated with the data signal.

The measuring device 404 a may have an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR) 416 and a switch 418. The OTDR 416 may measure a power associatedwith an optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 416may measure a continuity of a communication link and/or communicationpath of the optical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR416 may send a test signal via a test port associated with the opticaldevice 402. The test signal may be associated with a specific wavelengthof light. The OTDR 416 may utilize a wavelength outside (e.g., higherthan) the wavelengths of light associated with the data signals receivedby the optical device 402. By utilizing a wavelength higher than thewavelength of light associated with the data signals, the OTDR 416 maydetect problems (e.g., power reduction) with the network before the datasignals are impacted.

The switch 418 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 402 or other opticaldevices) the switch 418 may communicate with. The switch 418 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 418 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 418 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 402. Theswitch 418 may send the received signal to the OTDR 416. The switch 418may send an output to a test port (e.g., the test ports 412 a,b). Theswitch 418 may receive a signal from the OTDR 416 and send the signal toa test port of the optical device 402 (e.g., the express port 408, theupgrade port 410, and/or the test ports 412). The switch 418 may receivea signal from and/or send the signal to the test port (e.g., the testports 412 a,b).

The measuring device 404 b may have an Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA)420 and a switch 422. The OSA 420 may measure the data signals sent viathe optical device 402. Each data signal may be associated with arespective wavelength of light. The OSA 420 may measure the data signalssent in a first direction (e.g., forwards) through the optical device402, and may measure the data signal sent in a second direction (e.g.,backwards) through the optical device 402. That is, the OSA 420 may becapable of measuring data signals sent both forwards and backwards.

The switch 422 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number of inputports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch. Thenumber of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 402 or other opticaldevices) the switch 422 may communicate with. The switch 422 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 422 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 422 may receive as input an output (e.g., a datasignal) associated with a test port of the optical device 402 (e.g., theexpress port 408, the upgrade port 410, and/or the test ports 412). Theswitch 422 may send the received signal to the OSA 420. The switch 422may receive a signal from the test port 412 b. The system 400 may use ajumper so that the measuring devices 404 may communicate with both ports(e.g., the test port 412 a or the test port 412 b).

The optical device 402 may have coupler 424 a and 424 b. The coupler 424a may receive as input a combined signal (e.g., from the input port 406,the express port 308, the upgrade port 410, and/or the COM port 414) andoutput two or more different power levels of the combined signal on twoor more outputs. The coupler 424 a may be a 2×2 coupler. That is, thecoupler 424 a may have two inputs and two outputs.

The coupler 424 a may receive an input from the input port 406. Thecoupler 424 a may provide a first output to the coupler 424 b and asecond output to an ADM 426. The coupler 424 a may output 99% of thecombined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal onthe first output. The coupler 424 a may output 98% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal onthe first output.

The coupler 424 a may receive an input from the ADM 426. The coupler 424a may provide a first output to the coupler 424 b and a second output tothe input port 406. The coupler 424 a may output 99% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal on the firstoutput. The coupler 424 a may output 98% of the combined signal on thesecond output, and may output 2% of the combined signal on the firstoutput. While outputs totaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, aperson skilled in the art would appreciate that any combination ofoutputs provided by the coupler may be used, including combinationsbelow 100%.

The coupler 424 b may receive as input a signal (e.g., from the coupler424 a) and output two or more different power levels of the combinedsignal on two or more outputs. The coupler 424 b may be a 2×2 coupler.That is, the coupler 424 b may have two inputs and two outputs. Thecoupler 424 b may be in communication with the test ports 412 a and 412b. The coupler 424 b may receive an input from the coupler 424 a. Thecoupler 424 b may provide a first output to the test port 412 a and asecond output to the test port 412 b. The coupler 424 b may output 50%of the combined signal on the second output, and 50% of the combinedsignal on the first output. As will be appreciated by one skilled in theart, the percentages may not be exactly even due to imperfections inmanufacturing and/or operating conditions. Further, while outputstotaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, a person skilled in theart would appreciate that any combination of outputs provided by thecoupler may be used, including combinations below 100%.

The optical device 402 may have one or more Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADM)426. The ADM 426 may be in communication with a test port (e.g., thetest ports 412 a,b), the COM port 414, and the coupler 424 a. The ADM426 may have an input, an output, and an add/drop output. The ADM 426may receive a combined signal (e.g., from the coupler 424 a, from theCOM port 414) that has a plurality of different wavelengths of light,and may drop (e.g., remove) a wavelength of light from the combinedsignal. The dropped (e.g., removed) wavelength of light may be providedon the add/drop output. The add/drop output of the ADM 426 may be incommunication with a test port (e.g., the test ports 412 a,b). Theremaining combined signal may be provided on the output. The output maybe in communication with the COM port 414 and/or the coupler 424 a. TheADM 426 may receive (e.g., from the test ports 412 a,b) an input signalvia the add/drop output. The input signal via the add/drop output may beat the same wavelength of light as the dropped signal. The ADM 426 mayadd the input signal receive via the add/drop output to the remainingcombined signal. The input signal receive via the add/drop output may bereceived by the ADM 426 from a measuring device (e.g., the measuringdevice 404 a) via a test port (e.g., the test ports 412 a,b). The ADMmay drop and/or add a wavelength of light outside of the wavelengths oflight associated with data signals. The combined signal may have aplurality of wavelengths of light that are data signals ranging from1200 nm to 1600 nm. The ADM may drop and/or add a wavelength of lightthat is greater than (e.g., higher than) the maximum wavelength of lightfor the data signals. The wavelength of light may be 1610 nm, 1611 nm,1620 nm, and so forth.

The system 400 is capable of reducing the number of ports utilized tomeasure the characteristics of the optical network (e.g., the network105) due to the addition of the ADM 426 to the optical device 402. TheADM 426 allows a single test port (e.g., the test port 412 b) to beutilized for OTDR 416 independent of the upgrade port 410, whereas FIG.3 may require two separate ports (e.g., upgrade port 310 and/or one ofthe test ports 312 a,b). Thus, the upgrade port 410 and the test port412 a may not need to be utilized by a measuring device to measure allcharacteristics of the optical network so the upgrade port 410 may beused for its primary purpose, while an adhoc test port (e.g., test port412 a,b) for forward and reverse measurement is available. The system400 has the same capabilities as system 300 but without using theupgrade port 410 of the optical device 402.

FIG. 5 shows a system 500 for monitoring a network. The system 500 mayhave an optical device 502 (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1), andmeasuring devices 504 a and 504 b (e.g., the measuring device 122 ofFIG. 1). The system 500 may monitor an optical network (e.g., a fiberoptic network). While a single optical device 502 and two measuringdevices 504 a and 504 b are shown for ease of explanation, a personskilled in the art would appreciate that the system 500 may have anynumber of optical devices 502 and measuring devices 504. The measuringdevices 504 may be in communication with a plurality of optical devices302 (e.g., 2, 5, 50, 100, 500, etc.). The optical device 502 may be apassive optical device.

The optical device 502 may have an input port 506. The input port 506may receive one or more data signals via one or more optical links. Thedata signals may be optical data signals. Each of the data signals maybe associated with a respective wavelength of light. Each of the opticallinks may have an associated wavelength of light (e.g., data signal).The input port 506 may have a plurality of ports (not shown) incommunication with the one or more optical links. That is, the inputport 506 may have a separate port associated with each optical link. Theinput port 506 may aggregate wavelengths of light received from the oneor more optical links. The input port 506 may receive the data signals(e.g., the wavelengths of light) via the one or more optical links. Theinput port 506 may combine the received data signals into a singlecombined data signal. The input port 506 may transmit the combined datasignal (e.g., to the coupler 528). Thus, the input port 506 may have thecapability to be a multiplex (MUX) if input port 506 receives aplurality of data signals. The input port 506 may utilize wavelengths oflight ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm. Further, the express port 508 andthe upgrade port 510 may add one or more data signals to the combineddata signal.

The input port 506 may separate wavelengths of light from a combineddata signal. The input port 506, the express port 508, and/or theupgrade port 510 may receive the combined data signal (e.g., from thecoupler 524 a). The input port 506 may separate the combined data signalinto one or more separate data signals (e.g., wavelengths of light). Theinput port 506 may separate the combined data signal into one or moreseparate data signals. The input port 506 may be an output port thatoutputs the separated data signals on the optical links associated withthe input port 506. The input port 506 may transmit the separated datasignals to respective optical links. Thus, the input port 506 may havethe capability to be a demultiplex (DMUX) if the input port 506 receivesa single combined data signal.

The optical device 502 may have an express port 508 and an upgrade port510. The express port 508 and the upgrade port 510 may be incommunication with the input port 506. The input port 506 may providereceived data signals to other components of the optical device 502(e.g., a coupler 524 a). The express port 508 and the upgrade port 510may provide additional wavelengths of light (e.g., outside thewavelengths of light associated with the input port 506) that theoptical device 502 may utilize. The express port 508 may utilizewavelengths associated with a Conventional (C) band. The C band may havewavelengths of light ranging from 1530-1565 nm. The upgrade port 510 mayutilize wavelengths of light associated with bands other than the Cband. The upgrade port 510 may utilize the Long Wavelengths (L) bandthat has wavelengths of light ranging from 1565-1625 nm, and theUltra-Long Wavelengths (U) band that has wavelengths of light rangingfrom 1625-1675 nm. While the express port 508 and the upgrade port 510are shown as separate ports for ease of explanation, a person skilled inthe art would appreciate that the input port 506 may have the capabilityof the express port 508 and the upgrade port 510.

The optical device 502 may have test ports 512 a and 512 b. The testports 512 a,b may allow a measuring device (e.g., the measuring devices504 a and 504 b) to measure (e.g., test) data signals sent via theoptical device 502. Stated differently, the test ports 512 a,b mayoutput one or more data signals that are sent via the optical device 502to allow the measuring device to determine one or more characteristicsof the optical network. Accordingly, the measuring device may utilizethe tests ports 512 a,b to determine one or more characteristics of theoptical network. The measuring device may determine a power level, powerspectral density, and one or more wavelengths associated with the datasignals. The measuring device may determine a power level associatedwith the data signals in both the forward and reverse direction at eachspecific wavelength or in each specific channel passband.

The optical device 502 may have a common (COM) port 514 that provides aninterface to an optical link. The COM port 514 may receive the combineddata signal provided by the input port 506, the express port 508, and/orthe upgrade port 510. The COM port 514 may output the combined datasignal on an optical link associated with the COM port 514. The COM port514 may receive a data signal (e.g., a combined data signal having aplurality of wavelengths of light) from the optical link and provide thedata signal to the input port 506 for the input port 506 to separate outwavelengths of light associated with the data signal.

The measuring device 504 a may have an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR) 516 a, a switch 518, and an Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA) 520a. The OTDR 516 a may measure a power associated with an optical network(e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 516 may measure a continuityof a communication link and/or communication path of the optical network(e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 516 a may send a test signalvia a test port associated with the optical device 502. The test signalmay be associated with a specific wavelength of light. The OTDR 516 amay utilize a wavelength outside (e.g., higher than) the wavelengths oflight associated with the data signals received by the optical device502. By utilizing a wavelength higher than the wavelength of lightassociated with the data signals, the OTDR 516 a may detect problems(e.g., power reduction) with the network before the data signals areimpacted. The OSA 520 a may measure the data signals sent via theoptical device 502. Each data signal may be associated with a respectivewavelength of light. The OSA 520 a may measure the data signals sent ina first direction (e.g., forwards) through the optical device 502, andmay measure the data signal sent in a second direction (e.g., backwards)through the optical device 502. That is, the OSA 520 a is capable ofmeasuring data signals sent both forwards and backwards. Accordingly,the measuring device 504 a is capable of measuring all characteristicsof the network associated with the optical device 502.

The switch 518 may be in communication with the OTDR 516 a and the OSA520 a. The switch 518 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number ofinput ports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch.The number of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 502 or other opticaldevices) the switch 518 may communicate with. The switch 518 may be 2 byX switch, 3 by X switch, and so forth. The switch 518 may not have thesame number of ports as the input ports of the optical device 502. Theswitch 518 may receive as input an output (e.g., a data signal)associated with a test port (e.g., the test ports 512 a,b) of theoptical device 502. The switch 518 may send the received signal to theOTDR 516 a. The switch 518 may send an output to a test port (e.g., thetest ports 512 a,b). The switch 518 may receive a signal from the OTDR516 a and send the signal to a test port of the optical device 502. Theswitch 518 may receive a signal from and/or send the signal to the testport (e.g., the test ports 512 a,b).

The measuring device 504 b may have an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer(OTDR) 516 b, an Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA) 520 b, a switch 522,and an ADM 528. The OTDR 516 b may measure a power associated with anoptical network (e.g., the network 105 of FIG. 1). The OTDR 516 b maysend a test signal via a test port associated with the optical device502. The test signal may be associated with a specific wavelength oflight. The OTDR 516 b may utilize a wavelength outside (e.g., higherthan) the wavelengths of light associated with the data signals receivedby the optical device 502. By utilizing a wavelength higher than thewavelength of light associated with the data signals, the OTDR 516 b maydetect problems (e.g., power reduction) with the network before the datasignals are impacted. The OSA 520 b may measure the data signals sentvia the optical device 502. Each data signal may be associated with arespective wavelength of light. The OSA 520 b may measure the datasignals sent in a first direction (e.g., forwards) through the opticaldevice 502, and may measure the data signal sent in a second direction(e.g., backwards) through the optical device 502. That is, the OSA 520 bis capable of measuring data signals sent both forwards and backwards.

The switch 522 may be in communication with the OTDR 516 b and the OSA520 b. The switch 522 may be a 1 by X switch, where X is the number ofinput ports and the 1 relates to the number of outputs of the switch.The number of input ports may be determined based on a number of opticaldevices (e.g., one or more of the optical devices 502 or other opticaldevices) the switch 522 may communicate with. The switch 522 may be a 1by 48 switch. The switch 522 may be 2 by X switch, 3 by X switch, and soforth. The switch 522 may not have the same number of ports as the inputports of the optical device 502. The switch 522 may receive as input anoutput (e.g., a data signal) associated with a test port (e.g., the testports 512 a,b) of the optical device 502. The switch 522 may send thereceived signal to the ADM 528. The switch 522 may send an output to atest port (e.g., the test ports 512 a,b). The switch 522 may receive asignal from the ADM 528 and send the signal to a test port of theoptical device 502.

The ADM 528 may be in communication with the OTDR 516 b, the OSA 520 b,and the switch 522. The ADM 528 may have an input, an output, and anadd/drop output. The ADM 528 may receive a combined signal from theswitch 522 having a plurality of different wavelengths of light, and maydrop (e.g., remove) a wavelength of light from the combined signal. Thedropped (e.g., removed) wavelength of light may be provided on theadd/drop output. The add/drop output of the ADM 528 may be incommunication with the OTDR 520 b. The remaining combined signal may beprovided on the output. The output may be in communication with the OSA516 b. The ADM 528 may receive (e.g., from the OTDR 520 b) an inputsignal via the add/drop output. The input signal via the add/drop outputmay be at the same wavelength of light as the dropped signal. The ADM528 may add the input signal received via the add/drop output to theremaining combined signal. The ADM 528 may send the combined signal tothe switch 522. The ADM 528 may drop and/or add a wavelength of lightoutside of the wavelengths of light associated with data signals. Thecombined signal may have a plurality of wavelengths of light that aredata signals ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm. The ADM may drop and/oradd a wavelength of light that is greater than (e.g., higher than) themaximum wavelength of light for the data signals. The wavelength oflight may be 1610 nm, 1611 nm, 1620 nm, and so forth. Accordingly, themeasuring device 504 b may be capable of measuring all characteristicsof the network associated with the optical device 502. Further, whilemeasuring devices 504 a and 504 b are shown in FIG. 5 for ease ofexplanation, each measuring device 504 a,b may be used separately tomeasure all wavelengths of light and characteristics of thecommunications network. Thus, only one of the measuring devices 504 a,bis needed to measure all characteristics of the communications network.Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, themeasuring device 504 b provides the same capabilities as the measuringdevice 504 a but without a switch with two outputs.

The optical device 502 may have coupler 524 a and 524 b. The coupler 524a may receive as input a combined signal (e.g., from the input port 506,the express port 508, the upgrade port 510, and/or the COM port 514) andoutput two or more different power levels of the combined signal on twoor more outputs. The coupler 524 a may be a 2×2 coupler. That is, thecoupler 524 a may have two inputs and two outputs.

The coupler 524 a may receive an input from the input port 506. Thecoupler 524 a may provide a first output to the coupler 524 b and asecond output to an ADM 526 a. The coupler 524 a may output 99% of thecombined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal onthe first output. The coupler 524 a may output 98% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal onthe first output.

The coupler 524 a may receive an input from the ADM 526 a. The coupler524 a may provide a first output to the coupler 524 b and a secondoutput to the input port 506. The coupler 524 a may output 99% of thecombined signal on the second output, and 1% of the combined signal onthe first output. The coupler 524 a may output 98% of the combinedsignal on the second output, and may output 2% of the combined signal onthe first output. While outputs totaling 100% are used for ease ofexplanation, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that anycombination of outputs provided by the coupler may be used, includingcombinations above or below 100%.

The coupler 524 b may receive as input a signal (e.g., from the coupler524 a) and output two or more different power levels of the combinedsignal on two or more outputs. The coupler 524 b may be a 2×2 coupler.That is, the coupler 524 b may have two inputs and two outputs. Thecoupler 524 b may be in communication with the test ports 512 a and theADM 526 b. The coupler 524 b may receive an input from the coupler 524a. The coupler 524 b may provide a first output to the test port 512 aand a second output to the ADM 526 b. The coupler 524 b may output 50%of the combined signal on the second output, and 50% of the combinedsignal on the first output. As will be appreciated by one skilled in theart, the percentages may not be exactly even due to imperfections inmanufacturing and/or operating conditions. Further, while outputstotaling 100% are used for ease of explanation, a person skilled in theart would appreciate that any combination of outputs provided by thecoupler may be used, including combinations above or below 100%.

The optical device 502 may have one or more Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADM)526 a,b. The ADM 526 a may be in communication the COM port 514, thecoupler 524 a, and the ADM 526 b. The ADM 526 a may have an input, anoutput, and an add/drop output. The ADM 526 a may receive a combinedsignal (e.g., from the coupler 524 a, from the COM port 514) having aplurality of different wavelengths of light, and may drop (e.g., remove)a wavelength of light from the combined signal. The dropped (e.g.,removed) wavelength of light may be provided on the add/drop output. Theadd/drop output of the ADM 526 a may be in communication with the ADM526 b. The remaining combined signal may be provided on the output. Theoutput may be in communication with the COM port 514 and/or the coupler524 a. The ADM 526 a may receive (e.g., from the ADM 526 b) an inputsignal via the add/drop output. The input signal via the add/drop outputmay be at the same wavelength of light as the dropped signal. The ADM526 a may add the input signal receive via the add/drop output to theremaining combined signal. The input signal receive via the add/dropoutput may be received by the ADM 526 a from a measuring device (e.g.,the measuring devices 504 a,b) via a test port (e.g., the test ports 512a,b). The ADM 526 a may drop and/or add a wavelength of light outside ofthe wavelengths of light associated with data signals. The combinedsignal may have a plurality of wavelengths of light that are datasignals ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm. The ADM 526 a may drop and/oradd a wavelength of light that is greater than (e.g., higher than) themaximum wavelength of light for the data signals. The wavelength oflight may be 1610 nm, 1611 nm, 1620 nm, and so forth.

The ADM 526 b may be in communication with a test port (e.g., the testports 512 a,b), the coupler 524 b, and the ADM 526 a. The ADM 526 b mayhave an input, an output, and an add/drop output. The ADM 526 b mayreceive a combined signal (e.g., from the coupler 524 b) having aplurality of different wavelengths of light, and may drop (e.g., remove)a wavelength of light from the combined signal. The dropped (e.g.,removed) wavelength of light may be provided on the add/drop output. Theadd/drop output of the ADM 526 b may be in communication with a testport (e.g., the test ports 512 a,b). The remaining combined signal maybe provided on the output. The output may be in communication with thecoupler 524 a and/or the test ports (e.g., the test ports 512 a,b). TheADM 526 b may be in communication with the add/drop output of the ADM526 a such that the ADM 526 b receives the signal the ADM 526 aadds/drops and sends the add/dropped signal to the test port (e.g., thetest ports 512 a,b). The ADM 526 b may receive (e.g., from the testports 512 a,b) an input signal via the add/drop output. The input signalvia the add/drop output may be at the same wavelength of light as thedropped signal. The ADM 526 b may add the input signal receive via theadd/drop output to the remaining combined signal. The ADM 526 b may sendthe received input signal to the ADM 526 a. The input signal receivedvia the add/drop output may be received by the ADM 526 b from ameasuring device (e.g., the measuring devices 504 a,b) via a test port(e.g., the test ports 512 a,b). The ADM 526 b may drop and/or add awavelength of light outside of the wavelengths of light associated withdata signals. The combined signal may have a plurality of wavelengths oflight that are data signals ranging from 1200 nm to 1600 nm. The ADM maydrop and/or add a wavelength of light that is greater than (e.g., higherthan) the maximum wavelength of light for the data signals. Thewavelength of light may be 1610 nm, 1611 nm, 1620 nm, and so forth.

The system 500 is capable of reducing the need for a jumper due to theaddition of the ADM 526 b to the optical device 502. The ADM 526 ballows a single measuring device (e.g., one of the measuring devices 504a,b) to be utilized to measure all characteristics of the network,whereas FIG. 4 may require two separate measuring devices (e.g., themeasuring devices 504 a,b) connected via jumper. The system 500 has thesame capabilities as system 400 but without needing a jumper.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 for monitoring a network. At step610, a plurality of data signals may be received. The plurality of datasignals may be received by an apparatus. The plurality of data signalsmay be optical signals. The plurality of data signals may be received byan optical device (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1, the opticaldevice 202 of FIG. 2, the optical device 302 of FIG. 3, the opticaldevice 402 of FIG. 4, and/or the optical device 502 of FIG. 5). Theplurality of data signals may be received by one or more input ports(e.g., the input port 206 of FIG. 2, the input port 306 of FIG. 3, theinput port 406 of FIG. 4, and/or the input port 506 of FIG. 5) of theoptical device. The plurality of data signals may be received by anexpress port (e.g., the express port 208 of FIG. 2, the express port 308of FIG. 3, the express port 408 of FIG. 4, and/or the express port 508of FIG. 5). The plurality of data signals may be received by an upgradeport (e.g., the upgrade port 210 of FIG. 2, the upgrade port 310 of FIG.3, the upgrade port 410 of FIG. 4, and/or the upgrade port 510 of FIG.5).

At step 620, the plurality of data signals may be combined. Theplurality of data signals may be optical signals. The plurality of datasignals may be combined by the input port, the express port, and/or theupgrade of the optical device.

At step 630, the combined data signal may be sent to a coupler (e.g.,the coupler 228 of FIG. 2, the couplers 324 of FIG. 3, the couplers 424of FIG. 4, and/or the couplers 524 of FIG. 5).

At step 640, a first portion of the combined data signal may be sent(e.g., by the coupler) to a first port associated with the apparatus.The first port may be a common port (e.g., the common port 214 of FIG.2, the common port 314 of FIG. 3, the common port 414 of FIG. 4, and/orthe common port 514 of FIG. 5). The coupler may divide the data signals.The first portion may be a portion of a power of the combined datasignal. The common port may be an output for the optical device. Thefirst portion of the combined data signal may be between 90 and 99percent of an optical power of the combined data signal.

At step 650, the second portion of the combined data signal may be sent(e.g., by the coupler) to a second port associated with the apparatus.The second port associated with the apparatus may be a test port (e.g.,the test ports 212 of FIG. 2, the test port 312 of FIG. 3, the test port412 of FIG. 4, and/or the test port 512 of FIG. 5). The coupler maydivide the data signals. The second portion may be a portion of a powerof the combined data signal. The second portion of the combined datasignal may be between 1 and 10 percent of the optical power of thecombined data signal.

The method 600 may include receiving a second portion of the combineddata signal by a second coupler. The second portion of the combined datasignal may be split into a first half of the second portion and a secondhalf of the second portion. The first half of the second portion may besent to the second port associated with the apparatus. The second halfof the second portion may be sent to a third port associated with theapparatus.

The method 600 may include receiving, by an add-drop multiplexer fromthe first coupler, the first portion of the combined data signal. Theadd-drop multiplexer may filter a data signal associated with awavelength of light from the first portion of the combined data signalto produce a filter portion of the combined data signal. The add-dropmultiplexer may send the filter portion of the combined data signal tothe first port associated with the apparatus. The add-drop multiplexermay send the data signal associated with the wavelength of light to thesecond port associated with the apparatus. The combined data signal mayhave a maximum wavelength of 1600 nm, and the wavelength of light may bea wavelength greater than 1600 nm and less than 1700 nm.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 for monitoring a network. At step710, a combined data signal may be received. The combined data signalmay be an optical signal. The combined data signal may be received by anoptical device (e.g., the optical device 120 of FIG. 1, the opticaldevice 202 of FIG. 2, the optical device 302 of FIG. 3, the opticaldevice 402 of FIG. 4, and/or the optical device 502 of FIG. 5). Thecombined data signal may be received by a common port (e.g., the commonport 214 of FIG. 2, the common port 314 of FIG. 3, the common port 414of FIG. 4, and/or the common port 514 of FIG. 5).

At step 720, the combined data signal may be sent to a coupler (e.g.,the coupler 228 of FIG. 2, the couplers 324 of FIG. 3, the couplers 424of FIG. 4, and/or the couplers 524 of FIG. 5).

At step 730, a first portion of the combined data signal may be sent(e.g., by the coupler) to a first port associated with the apparatus.The first port associated with the apparatus may be a test port (e.g.,the test ports 212 of FIG. 2, the test port 312 of FIG. 3, the test port412 of FIG. 4, and/or the test port 512 of FIG. 5). The coupler maydivide the data signals. The first portion may be a portion of a powerof the combined data signal. The first portion of the combined datasignal may be between 90 and 99 percent of an optical power of thecombined data signal.

At step 740, a second portion of the combined data signal may be sent(e.g., by the coupler) to an output port. The output port may be aninput port (e.g., the input port 206 of FIG. 2, the input port 306 ofFIG. 3, the input port 406 of FIG. 4, and/or the input port 506 of FIG.5) of the optical device. The output port may be an express port (e.g.,the express port 208 of FIG. 2, the express port 308 of FIG. 3, theexpress port 408 of FIG. 4, and/or the express port 508 of FIG. 5). Theoutput port may be an upgrade port (e.g., the upgrade port 210 of FIG.2, the upgrade port 310 of FIG. 3, the upgrade port 410 of FIG. 4,and/or the upgrade port 510 of FIG. 5). The second portion of thecombined data signal may be between 1 and 10 percent of the opticalpower of the combined data signal.

At step 750, the combined data signal may be split into a plurality ofdata signals. The second portion of the combined data signal may besplit into a plurality of data signals. The plurality of data signalsmay be optical signals. The plurality of data signals may be split bythe input port, the express port, and/or the upgrade of the opticaldevice.

At step 760, the plurality of data signals may be sent to a plurality ofoptical links. The input port, the express port, and/or the upgrade ofthe optical device may output the plurality of data signals to theplurality of optical links.

The method 700 may include receiving a second portion of the combineddata signal by a second coupler. The second portion of the combined datasignal may be split into a first half of the second portion and a secondhalf of the second portion. The first half of the second portion may besent to the second port associated with the apparatus. The second halfof the second portion may be sent to a third port associated with theapparatus.

The method 700 may include receiving, by an add-drop multiplexer fromthe first coupler, the combined data signal. The add-drop multiplexermay filter a data signal associated with a wavelength of light from thecombined data signal to produce a filtered portion of the combined datasignal. The add-drop multiplexer may send the filtered portion of thecombined data signal to the first coupler of the apparatus. The add-dropmultiplexer may send the data signal associated with the wavelength oflight to the second port associated with the apparatus. The combineddata signal may have a maximum wavelength of 1600 nm, and the wavelengthof light may be a wavelength greater than 1600 nm and less than 1700 nm.

FIG. 8 shows a system 800 for a communications network. The user device102, the computing device 104, the network device 118, the opticaldevice 120, and/or the measuring device 122 of FIG. 1 may be a computer801 as shown in FIG. 8. The measuring devices 204 a,b,c, and/or theoptical device 202 of FIG. 2 may be a computer 801 as shown in FIG. 8.The measuring device 304 a, the measuring device 304 b, and/or theoptical device 302 of FIG. 3 may be a computer 801 as shown in FIG. 8.The measuring device 404 a, the measuring device 404 b, and/or theoptical device 402 of FIG. 4 may be a computer 801 as shown in FIG. 8.The measuring device 504 a, the measuring device 504 b, and/or theoptical device 502 of FIG. 5 may be a computer 801 as shown in FIG. 8.

The computer 801 may have one or more processors 803, a system memory812, and a bus 813 that couples various system components including theone or more processors 803 to the system memory 812. In the case ofmultiple processors 803, the computer 801 may utilize parallelcomputing.

The bus 813 may be one or more of several possible types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, or local bus using any of a varietyof bus architectures.

The computer 801 may operate on and/or have a variety of computerreadable media (e.g., non-transitory). The readable media may be anyavailable media that may be accessible by the computer 801 and mayinclude both volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 812 has computer readable mediain the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM),and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The systemmemory 812 may store data such as the monitoring data 807 and/or programmodules such as the operating system 805 and the monitoring software 806that are accessible to and/or are operated on by the one or moreprocessors 803.

The computer 801 may also have other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 8 shows the massstorage device 804 which may provide non-volatile storage of computercode, computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,and other data for the computer 801. The mass storage device 804 may bea hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk,magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memorycards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage,random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like.

Any number of program modules may be stored on the mass storage device804, such as the operating system 805 and the monitoring software 806.Each of the operating system 805 and the monitoring software 806 (orsome combination thereof) may have elements of the program modules andthe monitoring software 806. The monitoring data 807 may also be storedon the mass storage device 804. The monitoring data 807 may be stored inany of one or more databases known in the art. Such databases may beDB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL,PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases may be centralized ordistributed across locations within the network 815.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 801 via aninput device (not shown). Input devices may be, but are not limited to,a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a computer mouse, remote control), amicrophone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devices such as gloves,and other body coverings, motion sensor, and the like These and otherinput devices may be connected to the one or more processors 803 via ahuman machine interface 802 that is coupled to the bus 813, but may beconnected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallelport, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), aserial port, network adapter 808, and/or a universal serial bus (USB).

The display device 811 may also be connected to the bus 813 via aninterface, such as the display adapter 809. It is contemplated that thecomputer 801 may have more than one display adapter 809 and the computer801 may have more than one display device 811. The display device 811may be a monitor, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), light emitting diode(LED) display, television, smart lens, smart glass, and/or a projector.In addition to the display device 811, other output peripheral devicesmay be components such as speakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown)which may be connected to the computer 801 via the Input/OutputInterface 810. Any step and/or result of the methods may be output (orcaused to be output) in any form to an output device. Such output may beany form of visual representation, including, but not limited to,textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like. The displaydevice 811 and computer 801 may be part of one device, or separatedevices.

The computer 801 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computing devices 814 a,b,c. A remotecomputing device may be a personal computer, computing station (e.g.,workstation), portable computer (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, tabletdevice), smart device (e.g., smartphone, smart watch, activity tracker,smart apparel, smart accessory), security and/or monitoring device, aserver, a router, a network computer, a peer device, edge device, and soon. Logical connections between the computer 801 and a remote computingdevice 814 a,b,c may be made via a network 815, such as a local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a general wide area network (WAN). Such networkconnections may be through the network adapter 808. The network adapter808 may be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Suchnetworking environments are conventional and commonplace in dwellings,offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

Application programs and other executable program components such as theoperating system 805 are shown herein as discrete blocks, although it isrecognized that such programs and components reside at various times indifferent storage components of the computing device 801, and areexecuted by the one or more processors 803 of the computer. Animplementation of the monitoring software 806 may be stored on or sentacross some form of computer readable media. Any of the describedmethods may be performed by processor-executable instructions embodiedon computer readable media.

While specific configurations have been described, it is not intendedthat the scope be limited to the particular configurations set forth, asthe configurations herein are intended in all respects to be possibleconfigurations rather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof configurations described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations may be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other configurations will be apparent to those skilledin the art from consideration of the specification and practicedescribed herein. It is intended that the specification and describedconfigurations be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by an apparatus via a plurality ofoptical links, a plurality of data signals; combining the plurality ofdata signals into a combined data signal; receiving, by a first couplerof the apparatus, the combined data signal; sending, by the firstcoupler to a first port of the apparatus, a first portion of thecombined data signal; and sending, by the first coupler to a second portof the apparatus, a second portion of the combined data signal.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first port comprises a common port of theapparatus, and wherein the second port comprises a first test port ofthe apparatus.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising splittingthe combined data signal into the first portion of the combined datasignal and the second portion of the combined data signal.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the first portion of the combined data signalcomprises between 90 and 99 percent of an optical power of the combineddata signal, and wherein the second portion of the combined data signalcomprises between 1 and 10 percent of the optical power of the combineddata signal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending, by the firstcoupler to the second port of the apparatus, the second portion of thecombined data signal further comprises: receiving, by a second coupler,the second portion of the combined data signal; splitting the secondportion of the combined data signal into a first half of the secondportion and a second half of the second portion; sending, to the secondport of the apparatus, the first half of the second portion; andsending, to a third port of the apparatus, the second half of the secondportion.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by anadd-drop multiplexer from the first coupler, the first portion of thecombined data signal; filtering, from the first portion of the combineddata signal, a data signal associated with a wavelength of light toproduce a filtered portion of the combined data signal; sending, to thefirst port of the apparatus, the filtered portion of the combined datasignal; and sending, to the second port of the apparatus, the datasignal associated with the wavelength of light.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein the combined data signal comprises a maximum wavelength of1600 nm, and wherein the wavelength of light comprises a wavelengthgreater than 1600 nm and less than 1700 nm.
 8. A method comprising:receiving, by a first coupler of an apparatus from a first port of theapparatus, a combined data signal; sending, by the first coupler to asecond port of the apparatus, a first portion of the combined datasignal; sending, by the first coupler to an output port, a secondportion of the combined data signal; splitting the combined data signalinto a plurality of data signals; and sending, to a plurality of opticallinks, the plurality of data signals.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe second port comprises a first test port of the apparatus.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising splitting the combined data signalinto the first portion of the combined data signal and the secondportion of the combined data signal.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinthe second portion of the combined data signal comprises between 1 and10 percent of the optical power of the combined data signal, and whereinthe first portion of the combined data signal comprises between 90 and99 percent of an optical power of the combined data signal.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein sending, by the first coupler to the outputport, the second portion of the combined data signal further comprises:receiving, by a second coupler, the second portion of the combined datasignal; splitting the second portion of the combined data signal into afirst half of the second portion and a second half of the secondportion; sending, to the first port of the apparatus, the first half ofthe second portion; and sending, to a second port of the apparatus, thesecond half of the second portion.
 13. The method of claim 8, whereinreceiving, by the first coupler from the first port of the apparatus,the combined data signal further comprises: receiving, by an add-dropmultiplexer from the first port, the combined data signal; filtering,from the combined data signal, a data signal associated with awavelength of light to produce a filtered portion of the combined datasignal; sending, to the first coupler, the filtered portion of thecombine data signal; and sending, to the first port of the apparatus,the data signal associated with the wavelength of light.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the combined data signal comprises a maximumwavelength of 1600 nm, and wherein the wavelength of light comprises awavelength greater than 1600 nm and less than 1700 nm.
 15. An apparatuscomprising: a first port; a second port; an input port, configured to:receive, via a plurality of optical links, a plurality of data signals,and combine the plurality of data signals into a combined data signal;and a first coupler, configured to: receive the combined data signal,send, to the first port, a portion of the combined data signal, andsend, to the second port, a second portion of the combined data signal.16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first port comprises a commonport of the apparatus, and wherein the second port comprises a firsttest port of the apparatus.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thefirst coupler is further configured to split the combined data signalinto the first portion of the combined data signal and the secondportion of the combined data signal.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the first portion of the combined data signal comprises between90 and 99 percent of an optical power of the combined data signal, andwherein the second portion of the combined data signal comprises between1 and 10 percent of the optical power of the combined data signal. 19.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises asecond coupler configured to: receive, from the first coupler, thesecond portion of the combined data signal; split the second portion ofthe combined data signal into a first half of the second portion and asecond half of the second portion; send, to the second port, the firsthalf of the second portion; and send, to a third port, the second halfof the second portion.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theapparatus further comprises an add-drop multiplexer configured to:receive, from the first coupler, the first portion of the combined datasignal; filter, from the first portion of the combined data signal, adata signal associated with a wavelength of light to produce a filteredportion of the combined data signal; send, to the first port, thefiltered portion of the combine data signal; and send, to the secondport, the data signal associated with the wavelength of light.